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Mutual Sharing and Supporting the development of a Vocation to the Priesthood

A Mother asks “My son has spoken about a vocation. I
see his love for Christ and the church. To see the joy on his face
when he speaks about it, is truly wonderful. So why do I suddenly
feel so frightened of it? I think the "letting go" is more difficult
than I thought.”

It can sometimes be a lonely journey for those who are trying to
discover what God is calling them to do and the subsequent and path
through life. Those who are searching will value the support of
family and friends; but these too will have questions and concerns.

We all react in different ways to change and changes that may be
happening to our loved ones. The important thing is to try to
understand what the person is going through and where they may be
headed.

This section attempts to help. Please
click here
if you have a question or concern

What will I experience?

What will I experience approaching a priestly vocation?

Firstly, you will discover that although the ultimate relationship is
between you and God you are not and need not be, alone. There are others
who, like you, are also discerning their vocation; trying to discover if
they are being called to the Priesthood.

Also, there priests themselves who have trodden their path of discernment
and strive to fulfil their vocation as Priests. Many of these will be ready
and willing to share their experiences with you and to support you as best
they can.

There are similarities with the processes and educational structures
associated with entering a profession for life that will take some years.
However, the path to priesthood cannot be merely about “passing exams”.
Discernment underpins the process and this means that there will be times of
joy and times of struggle as we let go and hand ourselves, often cautiously,
over to the God who is always faithful to us and who longs for our
fulfilment and flourishing.

The natural instinct to protect the one you love or care for is always
present.

This will bring so many questions and emotions, as voiced by the mother’s
concern and a response shown below.

For some, there can be a sense that if a loved one enters the priesthood
then you are losing them. In a sense this is true but, if priesthood is
God’s calling for that person, then this is what will make them come truly
alive and you and they will gain so much more. Sometimes our fears can come
from a lack of knowledge and information about the priesthood; this section
is here to help so please explore the steps that may lead to priesthood.

You may also find the My Priesthood, My Family document of interest
click here
» to download

Dear Father,

I have been praying for vocations for years. Especially for a
gift of a vocation in my family. My son has spoken about a vocation. I
see his love for Christ and the church. To see the joy on his face when
he speaks about it, is truly wonderful.

My question is: why do I suddenly feel so frightened of it? I
think the "letting go" is more difficult than I thought.

As I prayed for years for vocations, I guess I did not expect to
experience these feelings. I have always believed that a religious
vocation is a very special one. To be able to love and serve God
totally in that special way, is truly a gift.

So why do I feel afraid or even a bit sad? I do not understand
my feelings. I have not expressed this to anyone, especially not to my
son. I desire that my children always seek God's will for them above
all. He is their true Father and His will is the only one that has
meaning, as this is where their happiness lies. Please help me to
understand my lack of faith.

Dear Melissa,

Your question reminds me very much of one I was asked by a man
shortly after he had suffered a heart attack and had been at the gates
of death. Against all the doctors' predictions he had pulled through,
but nevertheless he was agitated and he explained it like this: "I have
always been a practicing Catholic, I believe in heaven; I know my
brother, my wife and my parents are there, yet when I felt myself dying
I just didn't want to, I held on and fought it. What's wrong with my
faith? Why couldn't I let go if I really believe in heaven?"

The answer is not necessarily because there is something wrong, but
simply because we are human. God's grace does not obliterate our mind,
senses or feelings taking them out of the picture, it simply gives us a
supernatural capacity to go beyond them, not to base our actions on
them but on the realities we do not see. This oblation is true measure
of our faith. We all have our tiny Gethsemane to live, and we are never
alone as we do so. God bless.